International Condom Day: AHF will distribute condoms at Plaza Italia and Central Station

From 2012, it takes place every February 13 International Condom Day, the date on which the creation of this condom was commemorated and the emphasis on its responsible use to avoid the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

Although this day is celebrated in over 35 countries, a large part of the population is still unaware of the importance of the condom. In fact, according to data from AHF Chileonly 20.8% have almost always used a condom in their last 10 sexual intercourses, and 26% almost never, whereas in men almost always 39.7% and only 14% responded to it forever.

This was commented by the main coordinator of the AHF Chile, Leonardo Arenaswho expressed concern about the low pressure that the government had on the minor importance of the condom in public policy.

Leonardo Arenas

On this day AHF Chile has prepared an intervention in Plaza Italia and Central Station, where they will have a Condom Truck (similar to Food Truck), where they will distribute free condoms for women and men.

This activity is part of the HIV / AIDS campaign run by AHF Chile looking for the possibility of including a condom in a strategy to prevent this virus.

According to Arenas, the government focused exclusively on the population to take a quick HIV and PrEP test (Prophylaxis against exposure), which prevents continuous virus collection by taking antiretrovirals in people who are at significant risk, above average, and HIV infection.

"This is promoted by the government, which has evidence that as early as 2015, countries agreed to the second Latin American and Caribbean forum on combating prophylaxis, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, where Condom conflict is shown because if I take PrEP and I know that it reduces the risk of HIV infection, why should I use a condom?"He said.

That's why AHF is fighting for a common prevention strategy in which it is included in the condom along with sex education, not omitting PrEP and a quick test.

However, the importance of using condoms is not just about preventing HIV, but also on other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or syphilis.

"The fall in the use of condoms is a regional trend, which is confirmed by data from Peru and Argentina, which are particularly low among young people," he concluded.